Ffyon Reilly

Ffyon Reilly is a member of the Public Law Group.

Public Inquiries

Worked as part of the GDL team on the Covid Inquiry for over a year.  She has developed strong technical skills in Relativity and can assist with the full range of public inquiry work. She is experienced in sensitive and complex disclosure exercises involving large volumes of material, including extensive use of Relativity, and designing and documenting the disclosure process.

Prison Law

Ffyon appears regularly before the Parole Board; this has included complex cases, including IPP prisoners, and public Parole Board hearings. Ffyon is a member of the Association of Prison Lawyers. Ffyon acts for claimants in judicial review proceedings challenging Parole Board decisions she was recently led in the Court of Appeal in Fajr Ellis v Secretary of State for Justice. This considered Article 2 of Protocol 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Ffyon is instructed to provide legal advice and prepare written submissions on behalf of prisoners seeking to challenge by way of judicial review of the decisions of the Secretary of State for Justice.

Misfeasance

Ffyon was part of the successful counsel team defending a misfeasance in public office and malicious prosecution action; this was in respect of a claim for damages in excess of £400 million. The case is believed to have been one of the largest claims brought against HMRC.

Other

Whilst she now practises exclusively in public law, she has a multidisciplinary background and significant experience as a criminal practitioner. She has represented young and vulnerable individuals with mental health issues and/or learning disabilities and is trained in Advocacy and the Vulnerable.

Academic Expertise

Ffyon took an extended period away from practice as a lecturer in law whilst raising her young family. She is therefore comfortable on her feet and in writing. Alongside lecturing in law and academic writing, she created a large number of clinical legal education partnerships with NGOs and social enterprises such as Appeal and Reprieve. During lockdown, Ffyon built and led volunteer teams of lawyers and students, delivering legal advice and services through virtual and hybrid clinics and supporting NGOs with research and policy work. Ffyon is ATC accredited; she has taught advocacy on the Bar Vocational Course and was an external advocacy assessor to the Crown Prosecution Service. She is published in New Law Journal, Counsel Magazine, FT Publications and contributes biennially to a major law textbook. Ffyon also offers representation and advice in education law including SEND appeals and judicial reviews of Local Authorities.

Ffyon has a keen interest in access to the Bar and volunteers for Bridging the Bar.

Expertise